ALEXGETREAL.COM :: Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy

Are You an "Askable" Parent?

Read the following statements. Check the statements that describe you.

I...
	show respect, value, and love for my children
	realize that every difficult situation is not a crisis
	want communication with my child, but I do not always know the correct answer
	know that the most important part of communication is listening
	don’t laugh or overreact when my child asks a question
	don’t expect to be perfect and I know that admitting mistakes is a valuable lesson for my child
	am sometimes embarrassed by sexuality, but I acknowledge the discomfort and explain it to my son/daughter.
How Did You Do?

Congratulations! The more boxes you checked the more “askable” you are.

Want to increase your ask-ability and approachability? Try to add the statements from above that you did not check into your approach and attitude with your children. Understand that no one expects you to know everything or to be perfect. But your willingness to talk about sex and sexuality and to find the answers you are unsure of, will go a long way with your son/daughter.

Adapted from the American Social Health Association’s Booklet “Becoming an Askable Parent – How to Talk with Your Child about Sexuality”, 2006.